Unbeaten CJ Challenger gets maiden title shot against a local rival

CJ Challenger (9-0) gets his first ever title shot against local rival Kyle Haywood (8-0) for the Midlands Area super-welterweight title at the Morningside Arena, Leicester on February 23, live on BT Sport.

Both boxers are local to Leicester and share a very similar record with a combined 17 victories between them, with no defeats.

The local derby will have the vacant Midlands Area super-welterweight belt on the line, last held by 'Ruthless' Ryan Kelly (13-1), who could be a future opponent for the winner.

Courtney Jerome is 24-years-old and raced to 9-0 in just over two years between September 2016 to October 2018, winning seven bouts on points and scoring back to back stoppages in April and June 2017. He has 42 rounds of experience under his belt compared to Haywood's 37, who has just one stoppage victory in eight bouts.

He said excitedly of his forthcoming fight, "Super excited and can’t wait to show my capability. This is a good step towards great things and I’m going to secure the opportunity.

"Every prep is different to suit the opponent and my progress, so naturally the preparation for this will be suited to the task at hand."

The 27-year-old Haywood from Earl Shilton debuted against the tough Chris Jenkinson in his pro bow in November 2016 and the pair have just one shared opponent in 209-fight veteran Kevin McCauley, who they both defeated on point over four rounds, roughly one year apart.

The local derby with the local Area title up for grabs will be sure to attract nearby fight fans and add excitement to the TV show, which also features Anthony Yarde and a British championship fight.

The show will also feature a number of the city's finest young prospects, including 11-1 super-featherweight Lyon Woodstock, looking to rebuild following his sole career loss to bitter rival Archie Sharp in their fight of the year contender last October at the same location; featherweight talent Ryan Garner (7-0) appears; and Tamworth’s light-heavyweight talent Ryan Hatton (4-0), who trains at the Hall Green Boxing Club with former British champion Tommy Langford, who has now made the move up super-middleweight, thus providing 'Raggy' Hatton with high-level sparring.

Elsewhere on the bill, undefeated cruiserweight Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey (14-0) will look to climb the world rankings as he challenges for the WBO European cruiserweight title.

Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy Fury (1-0) returns to the ring for his second professional contest, two months after his debut win on the Warrington vs Frampton undercard at the Manchester Arena last December.